Two Years Ago, They Revered Trump; Now, They Ridicule and Revile Him

Shifts in Commentary Among Online Influencers After U.S. Military Actions Against Iran

Donald Trump has encountered criticism from several online commentators who previously expressed support for him, following U.S. military operations involving Iran. These reactions have appeared both in traditional media coverage and on digital platforms where Trump had cultivated audiences. Observers note changes in tone from figures who once described him positively, particularly in discussions of foreign policy decisions in the Strait of Hormuz region and related online discourse.

Podcaster Joe Rogan, who hosted Trump on his program and stated in 2024 that Trump had demonstrated resilience against legal and political challenges, later described the Iran operations as lacking clear objectives. In episodes aired after the strikes began, Rogan stated there was “no clear way to resolve this at all” and questioned the decision-making process. These comments marked a departure from earlier statements in which Rogan had characterized Trump as uniquely positioned to withstand opposition.

The network of podcasters and content creators sometimes referred to as the manosphere developed during the 2024 campaign as a channel for reaching younger male audiences. Participants produced content addressing economic concerns and cultural issues, often using direct language critical of prevailing social norms. Exit polling from the 2024 election showed increased support for Trump among men aged 18-29 compared with 2020, though precise demographic breakdowns varied across surveys and analysts differed on the extent of any lasting realignment.

Barron Trump, the youngest son of the president, participated in outreach to some of these creators. Reports indicate he arranged meetings and dinners at Mar-a-Lago involving influencers. One participant, Justin Waller, who has described himself as a business associate of the Tate brothers, met with Barron Trump and later with Donald Trump. Waller posted images from these encounters, including one captioned as documenting notable events.

Andrew and Tristan Tate, who operated online platforms with millions of followers, had been charged in Romania with human trafficking, rape, assault, and money laundering. The brothers have denied all charges. Court records show the cases remained pending at the time of their later release. Andrew Tate had publicly stated views that women should not vote and belong to men. Through connections facilitated by Barron Trump, the Tates promoted Trump-related content to their audiences, including participants in their online training programs.

Republican operative Alex Bruesewitz, then 28, coordinated aspects of this outreach. Bruesewitz had previously organized events questioning the 2020 election results and invoked the Fifth Amendment when questioned by the House January 6 committee. After the 2024 election he served as a consultant to a Trump-affiliated political action committee and advised on media production, including AI-generated videos.

Trump’s public image among these creators emphasized physical strength and decisiveness. Following the 2024 election, Andrew Tate posted statements celebrating a return to traditional gender roles. At the inauguration, several podcasters received prominent seating. Dana White, chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, introduced some of them during post-election events.

Romanian authorities had detained the Tate brothers on the pending charges. In February 2025, Vice President JD Vance criticized a Romanian court decision annulling an election round on grounds of foreign interference. On the margins of a security conference, U.S. envoy Ric Grenell inquired about the Tates’ status with Romanian officials. The brothers were released shortly afterward and traveled to the United States. Roger Stone posted images of their arrival. They attended a UFC event where White welcomed them, and FBI Director Kash Patel was also present.

Bruesewitz later spoke at a meeting of Germany’s Alternative for Germany party, describing participants as “brave visionaries” and stating shared objectives. The party has faced classification as extremist by German intelligence agencies and maintains positions critical of NATO support for Ukraine.

Criticism from some podcasters intensified after the release of additional Epstein-related documents. Rogan questioned the pace and completeness of disclosures in multiple episodes. Comedian and podcaster Theo Von, who had interviewed Trump and appeared at campaign and military events, stated after the Iran operations that he could not believe the United States had entered the conflict and later called aspects of the policy “insane.”

The Tate brothers traveled to Russia in June 2025 as guests at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. They received formal arrival protocols and visited a military training site. Andrew Tate had previously expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

These developments occurred against a backdrop of ongoing legal proceedings for the Tates in Romania and shifting public statements from several U.S.-based creators. Some maintained earlier levels of support while others expressed disappointment over specific policy choices. Coverage of the period shows a range of reactions rather than uniform alignment.

Additional context includes prior positive statements from Rogan and Von about Trump during the campaign period. Rogan’s 2024 interview with Trump reached large audiences, and Von participated in multiple Trump-related appearances before voicing later reservations. The manosphere content distribution relied on existing platforms and paid promotions, with reported expenditures in the millions of dollars directed toward mobilization efforts.

Romanian officials described the Tates’ release as following standard diplomatic channels after the U.S. inquiries. No formal immunity agreement has been publicly documented. The brothers’ legal cases in Romania continue under local jurisdiction.

Analyses of the 2024 election results attribute part of Trump’s margin among younger men to digital outreach, though broader economic and cultural factors also received attention in post-election reviews. Subsequent polling on foreign policy attitudes among the same demographic has shown variability depending on question wording and timing.

The sequence illustrates how online commentary networks can respond to policy developments, with individual creators adjusting statements as events unfold. Official records, court filings, and public statements from the participants provide the primary documentation for these shifts.